Score Out

Tores, Melisa. Score Out. Book 6 of the Perfect Balance Gymnastics series. 2023. 243p. ISBN 9781958613139

Carmen Alvarez is new to competitive gymnastics, and her Level 4 season is off to a rocky start, plagued by mistakes and falls. Despite her hard work, she faces a significant hurdle: she must achieve an All-Around score of 34.00 to qualify for Level 5 and follow her friends to the next level. As her season draws to a close, Carmen grapples with the possibility of not reaching this coveted score, leading her to wonder if she can convince her family and coaches to allow her one last chance at another meet, and if she'll be able to score out if she gets there.

Set within the world of gymnastics, the Score Out features relatable characters who face age-appropriate challenges, exploring the significant life lesson of persevering. Carmen is empowered girls by discover ing her own inner strength.

Mumming: A Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent

Vanstone, Victoria. Mumming: A Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9780645858099.

Victoria Vanstone initially envisioned herself as the quintessential organized mom, but instead found herself becoming a parent who sometimes resorts to shouting and throwing things. Determined to bridge this gap between expectation and reality, Victoria commits to a year of personal and parental development.

Her year of self-improvement encompasses everything from enrolling in a parenting course and attempting an exercise routine to navigating the complex world of adult friendships and even taking a solo vacation away from her family. Through these varied and often failed experiments, Victoria discovers that imperfection is not only inevitable but can also be the source of joy and a path to a more fulfilling family life. 

Mumming is a heartwarming and side-splitting read that celebrates the messy, authentic, and often funny reality of parenting. This memoir offers a hilarious and deeply relatable look at one mother's journey to reinvent herself and her parenting style, often through a series of comical missteps. 

Confessions of a Junior Spy

Munda, Rosaria. Confessions of a Junior Spy. Book 1 of the Confessions of a Junior Spy series. 2025. 224p. ISBN 9781250363800.

Bea, a young teen raised within the clandestine walls of the Pangean Hotel, a sanctuary specifically designed for spies. Immersed in this unique environment, Bea has dedicated her life to mastering essential espionage skills like self-defense, languages, codebreaking, and field medicine. Her ultimate aspiration is to emulate her mother, one of the Pangean League's top agents, and embark on a career in the high-stakes world of espionage, using her abilities to aid those in need.

However, Bea's mother has a starkly different vision for her future, insisting she attend a conventional boarding school to experience a "normal" life—a fate Bea dreads more than anything. While Bea reluctantly navigates the complexities of school applications and devises elaborate schemes to avoid this dreaded normalcy, a new family, seemingly on the run, arrives at the hotel. Seizing the opportunity to apply her honed skills, Bea, alongside her best friend Tommy, becomes determined to help the new girl, Chantal, even as the specter of boarding school looms large.

Things in the Basement

Hatke, Ben. Things in the Basement. 2023. 240p. ISBN 9781250836618. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Milo and his family have just moved in a new house, and parts of it feel very creepy. When Milo's mother asks him to retrieve a special sock for one of his newborn twins, Milo hesitates. The basement of his family's new, historic home feels haunted. Summoning his courage, Milo descends the steps, but things takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a hidden door leading to a vast, unknown world beneath his house. Milo's initial apprehension gives way to curiosity as he ventures deeper into this subterranean realm, encountering its strange inhabitants as he looks for the missing sock.

As Milo navigates the wonders and potential oddities of this Basement World, he begins to understand a valuable lesson about overcoming his fears. He learns that instead of retreating from the unfamiliar, approaching even the most unusual creatures with kindness and understanding is the key to navigating this new environment. His journey becomes not just a physical exploration of a hidden world, but also a personal one of developing empathy and courage in the face of the unknown.

Kin: Rooted in Hope

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Kin: Rooted in Hope. 193p. ISBN 9781665913621.

While the author's family history in Maryland spans over three hundred years, her genealogical research, like that of many African Americans with roots in slavery, extends only five generations before the records cease. From these historical fragments are conjured the voices of their kin, crafting a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative of pain, resilience, and ultimate empowerment. Told through poems, ancestors regain their voices and historical figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman contribute to the story

Kin is a powerful and authentic portrait of a Black family's lineage, intricately shaped by the dual forces of enslavement and freedom. Author Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, collaborate to render this history through searing poems and stunning art. The work begins by invoking the names of ancestors listed as property, emphasizing that each possessed their own mind and an untold story, now finally brought to light.

Friends Forever

Hale, Shannon and Leuyen Pham, illustrator. Friends Forever. Book 3 of the Friends series. 2021. 304p. ISBN 9781250317568. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following an eventful sixth grade year in Best Friends, Shannon, an eighth grader, is navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence, where everything feels increasingly complex and ever-changing. She's struggling with the social pressures of her peers, who are beginning to date while she remains on the sidelines, and she constantly battles an underlying sense of unhappiness. Despite her efforts to appear cheerful, Shannon grapples with insecurities and undiagnosed depression, leading her to question if there's something fundamentally wrong with her.

Haunted by the fear of disappointing those who care about her, Shannon embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She questions her identity and seeks to understand who she truly wants to be, rather than conforming to the expectations of others. Through their relatable storytelling and heartfelt illustrations, the authors create a narrative that resonates with readers of all ages, offering a message of self-acceptance and reassurance that everyone is inherently worthy.

Unbranded

Wharton, Herb. Unbranded. 2000. 264p. ISBN 9780702265969.

Unbranded centers on the enduring forty-year friendship of three men: Sandy, a white man; Bindi, a Murri (Indigenous Australian); and Mulga, who shares familial ties with both Bindi and Sandy through his Murri mother and Irish father, respectively. The story follows the distinct yet intertwined journeys of these three friends through the mulga country of the far west. As the three friends age, their paths diverge: Sandy achieves considerable wealth and land ownership, Bindi dedicates himself to Indigenous land rights, and Mulga oscillates between the droving life and urban stints. In its latter sections, the book significantly explores the complexities of Aboriginal identity in a modernizing world, with Mulga's narrative voice occasionally becoming an overt conduit for the author's own perspectives.

Unbranded by Herb Wharton, a former cattle drover, offers a uniquely authentic novel exploring themes of friendship and brotherhood set against the backdrop of inland Australia's stock routes. Wharton presents a strikingly original vision of the outback, populated by a rollicking cast of characters including stockmen, shearers, barmaids, and tourists, moving from lively picnic races and the famous Mt. Isa rodeo to childhood experiences in the yumba and gritty outback pubs. A central argument presented is that adaptation to modernity, primarily through education, is crucial for Aboriginal survival. While acknowledging the historical injustices of white settlers profiting from the land through grazing and mining, the story expresses impatience with prolonged internal disputes among Indigenous groups or an excessive focus on land rights, suggesting a pragmatic approach to progress.

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back

Chan, Ruth. Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781250855343. Available as a graphic novel on the library shelves.

Ruth Chan, a Toronto native, is devastated when her family relocates to Hong Kong for her father's new job. While her mother is thrilled to reconnect with her family, Ruth struggles to adapt to her new environment. The academic challenges, her limited Cantonese, and her parents' frequent absences leave her feeling isolated and displaced. She misses her familiar life in Toronto, her best friends, and her beloved ketchup-flavored potato chips.

However, as her father shares stories of their family's resilience and courage through hardship, Ruth begins to find her own inner strength. She gradually starts to build a new life in Hong Kong, forming connections and creating a sense of belonging. Through these experiences, Ruth learns that "home" is not just a physical location but a feeling rooted in her heart and her connections to family and community.

Readers who found themselves at a new school will relate to Ruth's challenges as she adapts to her new home.

Heir of Storms

Murray, Lauryn Hamilton. Heir of Storms. Book 1 of the Storm Weaver series. 2025. 416p. ISBN 9781250348159. 

From the moment of her birth, Blaze, a rare Rain Singer born into a dominant fire-wielding family, brought catastrophic destruction, summoning a storm that claimed thousands of lives across the Empire. Unbeknownst to all, however, the girl derisively known as Storm Weaver has not been able to manifest any of her magical power ascribed to her since she was born. Since that devastating day, she has been kept hidden. 

On her 17th name day, she and her twin Flint welcome guests to her grandmother's estate, and Blaze is finally introduced to the Empire's nobility. At the ball, Blaze is mercilessly taunted by her despicable cousin Amber, who mocks her lack of ability. Under the pressure, Blaze manifest a power she did not think she had, and she shatters all of the glasses. This makes a lasting impression on Howe, the crown prince.

An unexpected invitation to compete for the empire's future leadership thrusts Blaze and Flint are trust into the spotlight and into a world of political battle as they are summoned to the Golden Palace to participate in the next heirs' trials. The Empire's capital is is rife with threats, intrigue, and romance, as Blaze finds herself drawn to both the charming Crown Prince and a dangerously alluring newcomer, the prince's half brother. As she delves into her dormant abilities, she realizes the throne of the Queen of Water could be hers, but claiming it will demand shedding the narratives imposed upon her and bravely forging her own destiny.

Fans of series like Red Queen will enjoy this new series that dwells in the fantastic and the politics of an Empire teetering on the edge of chaos.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 8

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 8. 2014. 240p. ISBN 9780759529748. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Now in Antarctica with the flock following their adventures in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 7, Max hopes the remote, icy landscape will offer a respite from the constant pressure of their uncertain future. However, their hopes for a peaceful retreat are quickly shattered when they discover that the frozen continent holds its own set of deadly perils. Beyond the harsh, unforgiving environment and the threat of frostbite, a far more sinister danger lurks in the shadows.

A powerful and ruthless figure from the criminal underworld has placed a bounty on the flock, promising the super-powered children to the highest bidder. This individual possesses a formidable robotic army, ensuring he has the means to capture and deliver his valuable prize. The flock soon realizes that they are not just facing the challenges of the Antarctic wilderness but also a relentless and technologically advanced enemy, determined to exploit their unique abilities for their own nefarious purposes.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 7

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 7. 2013. 208p. ISBN 9780759529731. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

In Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol 6, Fang posted on his blog the locations of all of the Itex facilities the Flock had discovered as they were chased around the world. Blog readers congregate to all of these facilities and violently protest Itex's evil plans. As the German facility come under attack, Max and the flock escape, taking Itex's head scientist in the air with her. The scientist, who claimed to be Max's mother, refuses to cooperate, and Max drops her, but her conscience does not allow her to let the woman die, so she saves her in the end.

Max and the rest of the flock returns to the UInited States to stay with Dr. Martinez. They participate in a meeting with the US government which turns sour, and a bomb in their hotel room reminds them that they are still hunted. As a result, Dr. Martinez secures a position on a research vessel heading to the Antarctic. There, the scientists, who are all young, hope that Max and the rest of them can help them study climate change. 

Though life on the ship comes with challenges, especially as Fang and a young scientist named Brigid Dwyer seem to be hitting off, upsetting Max who has mixed feelings towards Fang. Total also has difficulty connecting with the onboard ship dog. But as the flock settles into a routine and learn new powers and new skills, a villain somewhere else in the world is setting up an auction to purchase the flock members ...

The story continues in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 8.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 6

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 6. 2012. 240p. ISBN 9780759529724. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Imprisoned at the school once again, Max's flock discovered that Angel had betrayed them in Maximum Ride, vol. 5. As they face execution at the hands of the mechanized Erasers, Angel reveals that she acted as a double agent and infiltrated Itex. She frees the flock, and they fly away after a brutal battle. Fang is not thrilled that Max allowed Ari to come with them. In the past, Ari has been their sworn enemy, and fought against them. But now saddled with an expiration date, Ari turns his coat and wishes to spend the little time that remains with friends, instead of with scientists.

The decision to let Ari come splits the flock in two. Gassy, Izzy and Fang head west to California, while Max, Nudge, Angel and Ari board a plane to England, hoping to take the battle directly to Itex headquarters. First, they need to track it down. However, while they are here, Max agrees to play tourists, and the flock spends time enjoying the sights in London, then Paris, before discovering that Itex's facility is in Germany.

On the West Coast, Izzy is desperate for Fang and Gassy to describe the scenery. Fang continues to post on his blog, warning people of Itex' plans for eliminating half of the human race. The messages are supportive, but when he receives a note from Max informing him of Itex's location in Germany, all three of them agree to rejoin Max, despite Ari's presence.

At the facility Max meets her mother, only to learn that she's mother only in sponsoring the program. Jeb and Dr. Martinez, whom Max met in Maximum Ride, vol. 1, are her real parents. Itex relentlessly pursues its program, and all of the remaining hybrids are to be eliminated, having been replaced by perfected models. Max thus finds herself in a competition with the newest Eraser model, with the loser being eliminated ...

The story continues in Maximum Ride, vol 7.

Tegan and Sara: Junior High

Quin, Tegan and Sara Quin. Tegan and Sara: Junior High. 2023. 304p. ISBN 9780374313029.

Tegan and Sara: Junior High is a fictionalized account of the famous Canadian indie musicians, identical twins Tegan and Sara Quin, transporting their 1991 middle school experiences into the present day. Tegan and Sara have just moved to a new city with their mother and stepfather, and they're entering into a new middle school with its social dynamics and cliques. The sisters attempt to navigate the challenges of a new school, the complexities of early adolescence, and the evolving dynamics of their twinhood while improving their musical talent. 

While they face the universal experiences of first crushes and the anxieties of puberty, Tegan and Sara also grapple with emerging differences as they grow into their own persons, forging individual paths and exploring their burgeoning queer identities. As they make different friends and develop an understanding of who they are attracted to, the twins remain best friends, even as they seek to answer the question of who they are when their twin is not around.

This coming-of-age story offers a unique perspective on the twin experience, exploring the intricate balance between sisterhood and individuality. Through their honest and insightful portrayal of their early lives, Tegan and Sara provide a glimpse into the roots of their musical journey and offer a poignant reflection on the complexities of growing up and finding one's own voice.

House of Purple Cedar

Tingle, Tim. House of Purple Cedar. 2013. 192p. ISBN 9781935955245.

Rose is a Choctaw girl who lives in Skullyville, Oklahoma, back when it was still Indian Territory. Rose witnesses first hand the escalating tensions as white settlers encroach upon Choctaw lands. Rose's story takes a devastating turn with the tragic arson of New Hope Academy for Girls, resulting in the deaths of twenty young students. Miraculously, Rose survives this horrific event.

Rose's grandparents, Pokoni and Amafo, revered elders within the community, adhere to traditional Choctaw spirituality. However, their peaceful existence is shattered when the local sheriff brutally assaults Amafo in public. Instead of retaliating, Amafo unexpectedly chooses the path of forgiveness, a decision that profoundly impacts the community.

The story seamlessly blends historical events with elements of magical realism, introducing fantastical elements such as shape-shifting panthers and a one-legged woman with herbal remedies. Elements of the Choctaw culture are skillfully woven into the story, creating a unique and engaging reading experience.

House of Purple Cedar is a compelling exploration of racism, injustice, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Reader who enjoy historical novels with a sprinkle of magic will appreciate this tale of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds and exploitation.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 5

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 5. 2011. 240p. ISBN 9780759529700. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The battle between the two Max that started in Maximum Ride, Vol. 4 ends with a decisive victory for the real Max, and she leads the flock away after Gassy and Iggy's bomb explodes and partially destroy the facility. Back on the run, Max and the rest find themselves in the forest. ITEX leadership activates their plan to halve the world's population, and the flock's termination is ordered, much to Jeb's chagrin. 

Traveling west, the flock reveals itself at a public event, confirming the rumors that have been circulating. The absence of Erasers is puzzling, however. Fissures emerge between Fang and Max, as Fang declares his need for a real home, instead of always running away. Max agrees to fly with  Fang to Ella, whom she met earlier, to see if the tracker can be removed from her arm. This should slow ITEX down.

Meanwhile, the rest of the flock is attacked by mechanical Erasers, and they are captured and reunited with Jeb. Angel seems to have a change of heart, and now wishes harm on her siblings. Max and Fang are also captured, and Jeb reveals they have been slated for destruction ...

The story continues in Maximum Rive, the Manga, Vol. 6.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 4

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 4. 2011. 240p. ISBN 9780759529700. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The stability that the flock has gained since Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 3 as they've been living with Anne has been helpful. They've been eating regularly, getting exercise, and even learning at school. But Max is antsy. She feels like it's time to go and not stick around too much longer. Erasers know they're here, and Iggy and Gassy keep bringing explosives to school, getting themselves in trouble. Plus, they're still trying to find more information about their parents, and Nudge comes up with a possibility to break the code. Unfortunately that doesn't pan out, and they're back to square one.

Hunting through the school, they discover that it has only be recently converted into a school, and it seems set up to trick them into a sense of normalcy. Another confrontation with  Ari forces Max's hand, and she tells the flock they have to move. But all of them want to stay, so they can enjoy their first Thanksgiving. A report on television reveal Iggy's parents, who reported he was kidnapped 14 years ago. Iggy is finally reunited with them, only to find out his parents see him as their ticket to wealth.

When the school turns out to be part of the experiment for Max and the rest of the flock, she's not surprised, but when Jeb informs her that Anne is the lead on the project, Max feels betrayed. Fleeing, the flock heads towards Florida, but Max is captured, and a copy replaces her, leading the flock into another trap ...

The story continues in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 5.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 3

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 3. 2009. 246p. ISBN 9780759529694. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

While in New York following their travel in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 2, Max and the flock run into flying Erasers, human/wolf hybrids who, like Max, have wings. Unlike the flock, however, they are stronger but they are clumsy flyers. In the battle, Fang is injured, and when he drops out of the sky, Max has no choice to go to the hospital for an emergency operation, and their status as winged humans is revealed.

There Max meets Anne Walker, an FBI agent in charge of investigating Jeb Batchelder, the geneticist who created Max and her siblings. Worried about being captured by Erasers, the family agrees to move in with Anne, who claims she can protect them on her farm. Things change again when Anne makes them go to school. For the first time, they find human connections and can pretend to be normal, even if some disciplinary issues arise due to their improved abilities. 

While there, Fang tells Max that perhaps the numbers they discovered in their files back in New York are map coordinates. Exploring them, they discover only dead ends. At school, Fang hits it off with a girl, and Max feels the pangs of jealousy, even though she has always thought of Fang as her brother. 

The Erasers are not done, however, and as they continue to track Max and the flock, Ari is working on a plan ...

The story continues in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 4.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 2

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 2. 2009. 262p. ISBN 9780759529687. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Shocked to discover in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 1 that their father-like figure Jeb is not only still alive but is in fact still working for the School, Max finds herself a captive along with Angel, and witnesses that many others have been experimented on at the School with various animal DNA genetic manipulations. When Jeb tells her that her entire existence is designed to save the world, Max is not only dubious, she really doesn't care. 

Brought outside by Ari, chief of the Erasers, a childhood companion and Jeb's own son, Max and Angel escape with help provided by their friends Nudge, Fang, Iggy and Gassy. Armed with new information on the location of a secret facility in New York City that possesses their demographics, including the family they came from, and spurred on by Nudge, who really wants to meet her birth family, the flock heads east. In New York, Max starts receiving messages in her head that cripple her. A voice is providing her with details and locations, but there's no way she can trust everything it says. 

Several encounters with Erasers lead to the presumed death of Ari, but Max and the flock successfully exfiltrate information about their birth. Noting that all of their families were from northern Virginia, Max decides they should next head to Washington D.C....

The story continues in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol 3.

Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 1

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 1. 2009. 264p. ISBN 978-1-4242-6500-8. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Max has been genetically engineered with avian DNA. She's able to deploy wings that she can use to soar in the skies and fly like a bird. There are five others like her, and they escaped the School, the lab where they were confined. At fourteen, Max is their leader, and she will do anything to protect her flock. For three years they lived in a remote area of the country, but Erasers, individuals engineered with wolf DNA, have finally found them and seek to capture them to return Max and the rest of them to the School. During a battle near their home, Angel, the youngest one, is captured.

Supported by her friends Fang, Nudge, Iggy and Gasman, Max leads the flock to Death Valley so they can break into the School and rescue Angel. Along the way, Max saves a girl named Ella from assault but is hurt in the process. Ella takes Max home, where her veterinarian mother patches her up as best she can, before giving her money to help her. Max also learns she has a tracker implanted in her arm bone, which might be how the Erasers knew where they were. She tells Max that she can always return here if she needs a place to hide.

Unfortunately, the Erasers track the flock to a local fast-food restaurant, and Max is captured. Brought into the School, Max is reunited with Angel, and is shocked to learn that Jeb, the scientist who helped them escape all those years ago and who was presumed dead, is not only very much alive, but he's still working with the school! 

The story continues in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 2.

Maybe an Artist

Montague, Liz. Maybe an Artist. 2022. 176p. ISBN 9780593307816. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Growing up, Liz always knew she was different from the rest of her family. Her two sisters were academically inclined, were amazing readers, and even better athletes. But for Liz, reading was hard, her parents' expectations were crushing, and school was not her thing. Liz loved to draw, but being an artist was not a possibility she could envision, because artists generally starve and don't make a career out of their art. 

But she was good at art, and could use the medium to effectively communicate with friends and family. Growing up African-American in a relatively white New Jersey was difficult, but not as much as it was for the Muslim students at her school following 9/11 and the wave of terrorism worries that swept the country. Through it all, Liz had to learn what she really wanted for herself. 

Exploring Liz's life from elementary school to college and beyond, Maybe an Artist is a process of discovery and exploration. Now a successful artist who has published in the New Yorker and elsewhere, Liz's story is inspiring and shows that with effort and dedication, one can reach their goal.